Orioles second baseman Robert Andino returns, slated to be activated from DL

Eduardo A. EncinaThe Baltimore Sun

Orioles second baseman Robert Andino, is slated to be activated from the disabled list before Tuesday’s game. He said he played in his two minor league rehab games without pain in his left shoulder.

“Did a little bit of sliding and everything, swinging hard, ground balls,” Andino said. “No pain, so we’ll see how it goes.”

Andino said he would test his shoulder in batting practice before Tuesday night's game against the Yankees. Barring a setback, he could return to the starting lineup for Wednesday afternoon's series finale in the Bronx. Omar Quintanilla is starting at second Tuesday night.

Andino suffered a left shoulder strain on July 15 while diving for a ball and went on the disabled list two days later. He said a true test will come the first time he has to dive to his left for a ball.

“I think probably the hardest thing is probably diving gloveside,” he said. “Right now it’s probably in the back of my mind. Maybe sliding head first, other than that, it’s fine.”

In two rehab games at Triple-A Norfolk, Andino was 3-for-9 with 2 RBIs, a walk, a run scored and a throwing error.

"I swung a few times really hard and let my bat go and there was no pain," he said. "I got scared for a moment but there was no pain.

"[My] timing is going to come," he added. "Of course, I haven’t done it in two weeks, so timing is going to come."

The Orioles can activate Andino immediately, because they are also placing designated hitter Jim Thome on the DL with a herniated disk. Thome is receiving an epidural in California and the club hopes he can return when he’s eligible to return on Aug. 12.